R.K. Singh pulls up Oppn for running away from discussion on demonetisation

| Updated: Nov 22, 2016 22:24 IST

New Delhi [India], Nov. 22 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP and former home secretary R.K. Singh on Tuesday said that the government is ready for discussion on the demonetisation issue but the opposition is creating ruckus as they are left with no option and have nothing to say. "They are not ready for it. You initiate the discussion, the government will answer. It's not about one person giving reply.it's about the government. If the Prime Minister or the Finance Minister wishes to reply, they will," said Singh. "They are running away from discussion.they don't have anything to say and that is why they are creating chaos," he added. The Congress Party earlier alleged that the government's demonetisation drive has unleashed financial anarchy and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to tender an apology to the nation. Questioning the government's decision, Congress leader Anand Sharma said it is illegal to stop an individual from accessing their own money. "Without weighing the consequences, this whole episode has unleashed financial anarchy, this undeclared financial emergency. The reality is that today the people of India - the farmers, the farm labours, the poor, the unorganised sector workers, the small retail business and the average citizen - have been adversely affected," said Sharma. "What is happening in India is a continual illegality because the money which is there in the bank accounts of the people is their own money and nobody neither the Prime Minister nor the Finance Minister or the Reserve Bank of India have any legal power or authority to deny Indian citizens access to their own bank accounts," he added. Sharma asked Prime Minister Modi to apologise to the nation for issuing this financial emergency. "The Prime Minister, who is answerable now for the 74 deaths which have taken place, should apologise to the people for inflicting this hardship and suffering on them," he added. Both the Houses were adjourned till tomorrow as uproar continued over the demonetisation issue with the opposition adamant on its demand for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's presence in the Parliament. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati demanded that the Prime Minister should attend the House to listen to the discussion on the issue. Asserting that 90 percent of the people of the country are suffering due to the government's sudden move, she said that the present situation looked like financial emergency and demanded that the deceased should be adequately compensated. Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad said, the opposition is ready for discussion provided the Prime Minister is present in the House. Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's emotional address to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lawmakers here today over demonetisation, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi today questioned the former asking him what objection did he have in coming to the Parliament and facing the opposition. "Why can't the Prime Minister just come to the Parliament? He can speak on the television, at pop concerts but not in the Parliament?" he told the media here following an adjourned session. Earlier today, Prime Minister Modi asserted that the demonetisation of high value currency is just a beginning of his government's deep and continuous struggle against black money. Addressing the BJP parliamentary party meeting, the Prime Minister said that the decision is in the interest of poor and middle class, adding that his government is dedicated to eradicate the evils of black money and corruption which have affected people in the last 70 years. (ANI)

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